Hollywood screenwriters have a long tradition of utilizing speculative technology in science fiction storytelling. While the majority of these concepts remain the stuff of fantasy, some end up becoming real-life inventions.
The following are five sci-fi movie technologies making their way into the real world:
Power Loader
As seen in Aliens
Fans of the Alien films franchise all remember the power loader suit depicted in the James Cameron-directed sequel released in 1986. Though there are no guarantees that today's technology can help defeat xenomorphs, full-body powered exoskeleton suits offer similar functionality to the power loader suit and are already being deployed in industrial applications across the world.
Gene Editing
As seen in Gattaca
The 1997 dystopian film Gattaca was praised for its approach to the concept of human genetic engineering and depiction of a dark world where people are judged by the quality of their genes. While the current state of gene editing science is far from the way its portrayed in this award-winning movie, laboratories in China are fast underway towards developing similar reproductive technologies. The ethical, moral, and philosophical questions arising from this new science remain to be answered, giving modern science fiction writers plenty of material to work with for the next few decades.
Brain Implants
As seen in Johnny Mnemonic
In this 1995 cyberpunk thriller set in 2021, Keanu Reeves plays the title character Johnny Mnemonic, a data courier with a cybernetic brain implant for securely storing the information in his head. The concept of brain implants might sound like one of the more bizarre and seemingly far-fetched on the list, but it's becoming a reality thanks to none other than Elon Musk. The ambitious billionaire's company Neuralink has recently developed a brain-computer interface meant to be implanted under the skull. Although currently only demonstrated with a live pig, Musk and his team hope to see a human demonstration within a few years.
Virtual Training
As seen in The Matrix
In The Matrix, another science fiction classic starring Keanu Reeves, characters are depicted going through combat simulation training via virtual reality. While the near-instant acquisition of expert-grade knowledge is still the stuff of science fiction, virtual training is assisting aviators, engineers, and a number of other professionals properly gain experience without putting themselves or others at risk.
3D Printing
As seen in Darkman
The main character in Darkman is a scientist working on 3D printed skin who finds himself the target of ruthless criminals. Eventually becoming a crime-fighting vigilante, he relies on his creation to masquerade among his enemies. According to the latest scientific literature, the ability to similarly 3D print organs, including human skin, is set to become a real possibility in the years ahead. It's a promising breakthrough, especially if we're one day able to custom-make new hearts, lungs, and other internal organs for patients suffering from an otherwise deadly disease affecting these parts of the body.
Many science fiction movies over the years have depicted an incredible array of fantastical technologies. While most still elude us, some have actually become a reality. It's an amazing turn of events, one which goes to show that truth can be just as fascinating as fiction, if not more.
